Fig. 130. The four chief thermometric scales: réaumur, absolute, fahrenheit and centigrade
There are four different thermometer scales used for measuring temperature and these are (1) the Fahrenheit scale which is widely used for all ordinary purposes; (2) the Centigrade which is the standard scale used for scientific work since it is based on the decimal system; (3) the Réaumur scale which is largely used in Germany, and (4) the absolute scale which is reckoned from absolute zero, that is the point at which there is absolutely no heat. It is about 461 degrees Fahr., 274 degrees centigrade, and 219 degrees Réaumur below the zero of these scales.
